Signed by Governor Greg Gianforte

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends alcohol laws to permanently permit curbside pickup.

Highlights:

• Defines "alcoholic beverage" as a compound produced and sold for human consumption as a drink that contains more than 0.5 percent of alcohol by volume (Sec. 2-4).

• Defines "beer" in the following ways (Sec. 2-5):

• A malt beverage containing not more than 8.75 percent of alcohol by volume; or

• An alcoholic beverage containing not more than 14 percent alcohol by volume:

• Specifies curbside pickup constitutes the sale of alcoholic beverages in original packaging, prepared servings, or growlers that was ordered online or through the phone for pickup from the licensee or agency liquor store during normal business hours and within 300 feet of the licensed premises or agency liquor stores, including a drive-through window (Sec. 1-2).

• Prohibits any brewer or breweries or beer importer to have or own any permit to sell or retail beer at any place or premises. It is the intention of this section to prohibit brewers and beer importers from engaging in the retail sale of beer (Sec. 4).

• Authorizes an all-beverages licensee to personally or through an employee obtain from any wholesaler's warehouse any quantity of beer as the all-beverages licensee and wholesaler may agree to buy and sell (Sec. 6-2).

• Authorizes a winery to offer wine in its original packaging, prepared servings, or growlers for curbside pickup between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m (Sec. 8.j).

• Authorizes a license to offer curbside pickup between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m. in original packaging, prepared servings, or growlers (Sec. 10-7).

• Authorizes the Department of Revenue to issue a license to sell beer for consumption on the premises to (Sec. 11-1):

• A tribal alcoholic beverages licensee who operates the business within the exterior boundaries of a Montana Indian reservation under a tribal license issued prior to January 1, 1985; and

• An enlisted personnel, noncommissioned officers', or officers' club located on a state or federal military reservation in Montana on May 13, 1985.

• Authorizes a distillery located in Montana and licensed to engage in the following actions (Sec. 17-1):

• Import necessary products in bulk;

• Bottle, produce, blend, store, transport, or export liquor that it produces; and

• Perform those operations that are permitted for bonded distillery premises under applicable regulations of the United States Department of the Treasury.

• Prohibits a restaurant that has an existing retail license for the sale of beer, wine, or any other alcoholic beverage from being considered for a restaurant beer and wine license at the same location (Sec. 19-2.a).

Full Bill Text